Tips for Schools

The following are tips for schools (both individual and systems) to help promote healthy and active lifestyles among their students.

1. Have school nurses in all schools.
2. Encourage collaboration among school nurses, PE teachers, and coaches to promote healthy lifestyles.
3. Develop a comprehensive school health curriculum.
4. Limit bus transportation to students located over 1 mile from school if possible
   • Exceptions would include those students having to cross major highways to get to school as well as young children.
   • For these students a "walking school bus" can be employed, using a "driver" to steer the kids to school.
   • Examine the ease of walking to school.
5. Develop policies on vending machines and competitive foods and beverages.
   • Prohibit soda and offer 100% juice, water, and low fat milk instead.
   • Provide information on fat content of snacks.
   • Limit selling foods of minimal nutritional value.
6. Develop school wellness centers.
7. Provide daily recess in all elementary schools.
8. Institute faculty wellness programs.
9. Restructure PE class offerings.
   • Increase PE classes to 5 days per week.
   • Incorporate more "personal pursuits" vs. team and competitive sports to encourage more children to participate and enjoy the class.
10. Mandate BMI measurements.
11. Restructure school lunch offerings.
    • Encourage the use of "farm to school" programs to provide increased fresh fruits and vegetables to students and faculty.
    • Prohibit soda and offer 100% juice, water, and low fat milk instead.
    • Offer an increased number of fresh foods (including a salad bar).
    • Limit selling foods of minimal nutritional value.
    • Discourage the use of outside vendors, such as fast food outlets, for meals.
    • Ensure breakfast and lunch portion sizes meet USDA guidelines.
    • List nutrition information on menus and websites.
12. Offer intramural sports before and after school, not just competitive teams.
13. Increase after school program offerings.
    • Offer cooking classes and taste-testing sessions for healthy foods.
    • Provide healthy snacks.
    • Provide more active programs along with academic ones.
14. Consider joint-use policies with neighborhoods.
    • These policies allow residents to utilize school facilities (tennis courts, playgrounds, etc) after hours.
15. Offer a forum for school officials and legislators to examine issues related to the problem.
16. Restrict advertising in and around schools.
17. Restrict proximity of fast food restaurants to schools.

Looking for additional information on becoming a healthier school district? Click here for a sample wellness policy, courtesy of Alexandria City Public Schools.

For more ideas see teacher's modules at EnergyBalance101.com, or visit www.pe4life.com, www.actionforhealthykids.org, and have students access www.bam.gov